The Gallup findings were affirmed by the LOR Foundation survey cited in this article’s sidebars.
However, older people who are able-bodied and energetic often become “jack-of-all-trade” volunteers.
Doing so helps remind everyone that older people are assets, not liabilities, to their communities.
The focus-group participants offered some ideas for lasting improvements.
“How can rural attract projects that are pushing the boundaries on medical innovation?
Telemedicine, robotics, collaborative care models, you name it.”
Forging partnerships on health care campaigns was raised by a number of participants.
The reasons are obvious living without a car in most communities means limited mobility options.
Cuts to public transportation services in rural areas have been devastating.
InColorado, AARPis working to expand intercommunity bus service.
Erik Gaikowski added that in some places transit vans will pass through a town without stopping.
He emphasized the need to establish a “one-stop shop” coordinating all rides in a region.
Well-known companies such as Lyft and Uber have so far been slow to establish service in smaller communities.
In some places, homegrown or volunteer-based versions are trying to fill the gap.
Many are forced to move farther away from town and farther from their friends and basic services.
In Maine, many rural homes do not have first-floor bedrooms and bath.
We need more incentives to interest housing developers in building in small communities, said Iowa’s Bill Menner.
“Show them they can make money here.”
What was overlooked in this scenario was the complication of bringing high-speed broadband internet to the countryside.
“Without it, it’s harder for younger people to move or stay here.”
Wismer suggested that rural telephone cooperatives take on providing broadband service.
“TheUSDA Rural Development agencyis also a big help,” according to Joe Bartmann ofDakota Resources.
Easy access to open spaces stands out as another asset rural communities can build on.
LOR Foundation research shows that rural Americans see the outdoors as an important component of livability.
Yet not all rural areas are battling a youth- or brain-drain.
“A community can be thriving even if it’s not growing,” he explained.
That diminishes all of the positive things going on every day.
Jay Walljasper is a Minnesota-based journalist and author ofThe Great Neighborhood Book.
A writer-in-residence at Augsburg University, he writes, speaks and consults about livable communities.
Article published March 2019 | Additional reporting by Melissa Stanton
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